Thursday is a day of celebration for many 16-year-olds, as they find out their GCSE results and plan their futures.

Some have had to overcome more than others to reach their goal, whether overcoming personal strife, language barriers or maintaining sporting success.

Winchmore School student Adam Savva got two As and seven Bs and is following his dream of becoming a film director, after battling serious anxiety during the year.

He said: “I’ve always been told I’ve had problems, and with the pressure of this year I have had to cope with all of it.

“It has been a hard time, a lot has been happening with me and my family, it has been tough balancing that side and studying.

“I used to have panic attacks over small things, which seemed so big to me. In the build-up I didn’t do well on the mocks, so I had to do a lot of work.

“Weirdly in the exams I was really calm, maybe I knew I had done the revision.”

Adam said two things had helped him get through the year: his religion, and his girlfriend Olivia.

Now he says he plans to stay at Winchmore and do A-levels in drama, literature and film studies, but first plans to celebrate with friends and “eat a lot”.

Another pupil who defeated tough challenges to succeed is Frederik Ndoja. Two years ago he and his family arrived from Albania, with Frederik speaking little English.

He finished his GCSEs with an A* in Spanish, as well as another A, two Bs, three Cs and two Es. He too is staying at Winchmore, and will study A-levels in Spanish, maths and economics.

He said: “It was hard work, but I am happy. I was so nervous; I was looking forward to it being over.

“It has been difficult coming from another culture, but the staff and my new friends have been really helpful.”

Lewis Dunn had different family pressures to deal with – his 23 and 21-year-old sisters both did well on their exams, giving his something to live up to.

He managed it, with five A*s, three As and two Bs, and will now go on to sixth form at Woodhouse College in Finchley.

Lewis, 16, combined his studies with a burgeoning basketball career, captaining the school to the Enfield regional final and playing for the borough in the 2015 London Youth Games.

He said: “Basketball has developed me character-wise, teaching me hard work gets you rewards.

“I cycled to school early to practice basketball, then had classes, cycled home, I was revising while everyone else was eating dinner.

“I’m ecstatic and a bit surprised. I knew I had done my best, I’m just glad I got the results I hoped for.”